And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men;

1 SAMUEL 14:2KJV
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1 Samuel 14:2 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 14:2 mean?

1 Samuel 14:2 describes King Saul staying in the farthest part of Gibeah, sitting under a pomegranate tree in a place called Migron, with about six hundred men gathered with him. The verse sets the scene by showing Saul’s location and the size of his group during a tense time in Israel’s conflict with the Philistines.

This verse is part of a larger story where Saul, the first king of Israel, is not actively engaging the enemy but is instead waiting with his men. The mention of the "uttermost part" of Gibeah and the specific location under a pomegranate tree in Migron gives a sense of distance and perhaps hesitation. The detail that Saul has six hundred men with him highlights that his forces are small compared to the Philistine army, setting up the dramatic events that follow.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 14:2

  • "Uttermost" (קָצֶה, qatsé): This word means the farthest edge or outermost part. Its use here emphasizes that Saul is not at the center of action but on the outskirts, possibly showing caution or reluctance.
  • "Gibeah" (גִּבְעָה, Giv‘āh): This is the name of Saul’s hometown and a significant location in his story. Mentioning Gibeah roots the scene in a real, familiar place for the original audience.
  • "Tree" (רִמּוֹן, rimmon): The word used here means "pomegranate tree." Pomegranate trees were common in the region, and the detail adds a touch of realism to the setting.
  • "Migron" (מִגְרוֹן, Migron): This is a specific place name. Including Migron helps pinpoint the exact location, which matters for understanding the movement and strategy in the story.

Why 1 Samuel 14:2 matters

  • This verse highlights Saul’s passive position at a critical moment, which contrasts with the bold actions of his son Jonathan in the following verses.
  • The small number of men with Saul (six hundred) underlines how outmatched Israel seemed against the Philistines, setting up the tension for what comes next.
  • The careful description of place and number helps readers picture the scene and understand the challenges facing Saul and his army.

Where else these words appear

“Migron” Hebrew H4051 · used in 2 verses

  • Isaiah 10:28 He is come to Aiath, he is passed to Migron; at Michmash he hath laid up his carriages:

“tree” Hebrew H7416 · used in 25 verses

  • Exodus 28:33 And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about:
  • 1 Kings 7:18 And he made the pillars, and two rows round about upon the one network, to cover the chapiters that were upon the top, with pomegranates: and so did he for the other chapiter.
  • Song of Solomon 6:7 As a piece of a pomegranate are thy temples within thy locks.

“Gibeah” Hebrew H1390 · used in 43 verses

  • Joshua 15:57 Cain, Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities with their villages:
  • Judges 20:21 And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed down to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty and two thousand men.
  • 1 Samuel 15:34 Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul.

“uttermost” Hebrew H7097 · used in 87 verses

  • Genesis 8:3 And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.
  • Joshua 3:15 And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water,(for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)
  • Psalms 46:9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.